ORGANIZING INFORMATION:

ORGANIZING MESSAGE

Welcome to our new website. Each month I will generate information that will help you understand the organizing philosophy and what each of us as union carpenters need to be aware of to improve our working environment and standards on the job.

Did You Know:

Unionized workers have input on what's important to them in their workplace. Things like safety, working conditions, wages and benefits reflect the will of the workers; not just what the boss thinks they deserve. The Carpenter's Union is not a third party entity but rather a group of men and women who have banded together to elevate the standards for themselves and for all CARPENTERS in the construction industry.

Knowing the facts and proper construction procedures in the field makes you better craftsmen and craftswomen. Shouldn't you use the same approach to insure you are receiving maximum compensation for your hard work? Contact us now and see that as career carpenters, we have more in common than you think. All inquiries are strictly confidential

Mike Tomash, HRC Director of Organizing

YOUR RIGHT TO JOIN, FORM OR ORGANIZE IN YOUR

WORKPLACE IS PROTECTED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

YOUR RIGHTS:

Section 7 of the National Labor Act guarantees employees the right to organize a union and bargain collectively with their employer. Here are the actual words of Section7:

"Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection..."

YOUR PROTECTION:

To enforce these Section 7 rights, Federal Law makes, certain employer conduct illegal. thus, it is an unfair labor practice for an employer:

	to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section7;
	to form or control a labor organization as a "company union;"
	to discriminate against any employee in hiring, firing or conditions of employment because of union activities or to encourage or discourage membership in a union;
	to discriminate against an employee for filing unfair labor practice charges or giving testimony in an NLRB proceeding; and
	to refuse to bargain collectively with the union which represents the majority of his employees.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU:

You and your fellow employees have the free choice and legal right to work as a team, and to help organize, join and support a union. This includes the legal right to sign a union card, solicit fellow employees to sign cards, attend union meetings, wear union insignia, talk union and distribute union literature.

The employer breaks the law if he/she interferes with organizing activities by interrogation, surveillance of union meetings or any other methods. The employer can not threaten or penalize any employee in any manner, because he/she supports the union or promise or give him/her increased benefits or promotions to stop supporting the union.

If an employer improperly discharges, suspends or demotes an employee for union activity, the employee can obtain reinstatement without loss of seniority, and with back pay plus 6% interest.

An employer has a legal duty to bargain with the union as exclusive representative of all employees in the group, once the union is selected by a majority of employees.

The employees may rely upon the group strength and action of the union in dealing with the employer, and the employer is not allowed to negotiate with the employees individually once the union's majority status is established. Moreover, the employer cannot unilaterally take away any existing benefits; he must negotiate with the union on all benefits and employment conditions.

The National Labor Relations Board is an agency of the federal government, which exists to protect your rights against these or any other violations of the law by employers.

(from UBC Information Pamphlet)

For more information on organizing in your area local click on HRC Locals

ORGANIZING INFORMATION:

ORGANIZING MESSAGE

Send mail to ottawa@essex1.com with questions or comments about this web site.